Chapter 4: Scorch Marks

A few hours after the attack, the sun was beginning to set. Most of the fires had been put out and the wounded were being tended to in tents that were set up inside the city. Jake was laying on one of the beds, still unconscious, and with bandages wrapped around his burned areas. Finn and Bonnibel stood next to him.

"Are you sure it was him?" the candy girl asked.

"Yes, I'm sure." Finn replied.

"But what would he be doing inside a dragon's body?"

"I don't know, but tomorrow I'm going to pay a visit to the Fire Kingdom."

"If he can somehow take dragon form, this could mean trouble. He most likely won't go down without a fight."

"All the more reason to stop him. Have you ever encountered anyone with that kind of power?"

"I've seen plenty of people take different forms. Marcy, for instance, but never a dragon."

Finn continued to stare at his friend as he lay on the bed.

"What about that blue flame you said you shot from your hand?"

"I don't know, but when I did, the gem was glowing like crazy."

"We have to get that thing off you somehow."

Finn placed his hand on his chest. He agreed with her, but at the same time, did he really wanna get rid of it?

He shook his head and got the thought out of his mind.

"I'm gonna get going. Make sure he stays safe."

"I will. Be careful, Finn."

As Finn exited the tent he saw all the candy people that were wounded during the attack. Some were burned while some had cuts and bruises from falling debris. At the end of the road laid nothing but a pile of ashes left behind by the dragon corpse after disintegrating.

He left the kingdom and headed to his home.

The sun was just about to fully disappear over the horizon as Finn stood just outside his house. All he did was stare at his hand, contemplating what had happened back at the kingdom. He looked forward and saw a boulder in the distance.

"I wonder…"

The human raised his hand and pointed it at the stone. He took deep breaths as he tried to concentrate. As he continued to point at the stone for several minutes, nothing had happened. He closed his eyes as he tried harder. Suddenly, the gem began to glow once again. Finn opened his eyes and narrowed them, still pointing at the stone.

After a few seconds, blue flames shot from his hand, shattering the stone as it made contact with it. He stood there, shocked at what he had accomplished.

"Woah."

Finn decided to keep practicing as he kept shooting flames up to the sky. By the time he got the hang of it, the sun had set completely and the moon shined across all of Ooo.

"This'll come in handy." he thought to himself as he smiled.

He went inside the house and started getting ready for bed. After taking a shower, he put on his red pajamas and went straight to bed. He laid awake as he thought about everything that could happen tomorrow.

Strangely enough, what bothered him most wasn't confronting Flame Princess' brother, rather facing the fiery ruler herself.

It had been five years since he last spoke to her, and could only feel fear at the thought of seeing her again after so long. How would she react? Would she be happy, or would she cast him aside? But what scared him the most was the thought of her being involved with the destruction of the Candy Kingdom.

Could the girl that he loved and cared for years ago really be willing to do such a thing? Was she really evil?

He slapped himself in the face for thinking such things. After a few minutes of torture filled thoughts, he finally fell asleep.

As the morning rays of sun began to shine through the window, Finn began to slowly open his eyes. He sat on the bed as he rubbed his eyes, attempting to wipe away the grogginess. He got up from the bed and went to the bathroom. After using the toilet, brushing his teeth, and getting dressed, he ate a quick breakfast and grabbed his gear. He went out and made his way to Fire Kingdom.

After half an hour of walking, the kingdoms massive walls came into view. Before he went any further, he wondered if he needed flame shield, even with his ability to shoot fire from his hands. To his luck, he spotted Flambo resting under a nearby tree.

"Well, better safe than sorry."

He went to wake the little guy up.

"Psst, hey. Flambo."

The elemental just shifted positions, still not waking up.

"Hey, Flambo!"

The sudden scream startled the little guy, making him jump into the air.

"Jeez, yous trying to give me a heart attack?!"

"Sorry, Flambo. What are you doing out here, anyway?"

"What? A guy can't take a nap under a tree once in a while?"

"Well, whatever the case, I need flame shield, little buddy."

Flambo had a wide grin on his face.

"Ah, going to see a certain fiery dame? Wink."

"I'm here on business. Let's leave it at that."

"Well I'm sorry but I'm afraid I can't give yous the shield."

"Aw, come on, Flambo. Why no-"

The human stopped talking and let out a sigh. He pulled his backpack in front of him and took a piece of coal from inside. He threw it at the elemental, who caught it in his mouth as his flames grew brighter.

"Mmmmm, now that's good eats. Alright, here's your shield."

He started chanting the flame shield spell as fiery runes began to appear in front of him. He spit on Finn's forehead, covering him in the blue shield.

"Thanks, Flambo."

The two waved goodbye as Finn made his way to the kingdom gates. When he approached he was stopped by two flame guards.

"Finn the Human, what is your business here?"

"I wish to see Flame Princess."

"Very well. Open the gates!"

With that, the gates started to open.

"Step right in."

The human nodded and stepped through the gates as they closed behind him.